Blogs

London to Paris Day one

5 Jul 2011

Day one – and off they went! After an early start, Kidney Research UK’s London to Paris team cycled off in convoy, a sea of coloured cycling vests disappeared round the corner as they embarked on the first leg of the challenge! The sun was shining, not a cloud in the sky, we could sense the anxiousness yet excitement in the air! The English countryside, through rural Kent was stunning. The roads were winding, and tough at times, but at each water stop and the much awaited lunch break, the entire team made it with a smile on their faces. The white cliffs of Dover were certainly a welcomed site!!

Rachel & Richard, brother and sister from Reading & Chester said: “It was amazing, we loved it, and surprisingly we feel really good!!”

 

Day two

5 Jul 2011

First day in the saddle in Northern France, and what a beautiful country it is! The windy roads with many ‘undulations’ took the cyclists through quaint villages, market towns and beautiful corn fields. Following a hearty lunch relaxing in the sunshine, they pushed on to battle some more hills. After 75 miles in the saddle, they arrived in Abbeville, with a beautiful gothic church, all that remained in the town after WWI. A good nights sleep was had by all!

Day 3

5 Jul 2011

This morning took the cyclists alongside the river Somme out of Abbeville. You could not fail to be reminded of the thousands who lost their lives in the war, each village they passed had signs of devastating loss, bullet holes are still visible in the walls of churches. The sun was once again shining as they battled against more ‘undulating’ hills! Again, the lunch was incredible, and the location was stunning – hard to get back on the bike with such wonderful countryside around you! After lunch they enjoyed the countryside before arriving in Beauvais, where the market square is a true highlight. Strong bonds have been formed and the atmosphere is buzzing knowing we are only 60 miles away from our final destination!